Incredible !ndia: Health for all (but Indians)

Now they can officially treat us like second grade citizens in our hospitals. And charge us first world price. But I hope that the firangs will start suing our doctors too.

According to DNA, Indian Govt. Sells Healthcare!
"In a bid to promote medical tourism, the tourism ministry has released a list of hospitals that would cater to foreign patients.

More than 50 accredited hospitals, including Apollo, Escorts, Breach Candy and Jaslok, have been listed in the new Incredible India campaign brochure that will be circulated in the Indian missions soon. The brochure highlights the treatment offered in each specialty hospital. Ayurvedic and yoga centres would also be listed.

"These accredited hospitals will follow a code of ethics to prevent patients from being fleeced," said Naresh Trehan, the country's leading cardiologist. The hospitals will also follow standardised pricing to avoid cutting into each others' customer base.

According to Trehan, 11 per cent of super specialist doctors in the US and 30 per cent in the UK's National Health Service are Indians. "With a talent base of over five lakh doctors and seven lakh nursing professionals, India can provide medical care of international standards at a comparatively low cost. Surgical procedures are available at one-tenth the cost of those in developed countries. Also there is no waiting period," said Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss." - DNA

We are all Hezbollah!

Israel and its neighbours. Their populations and size wouldn't even qualify them as minor states or cities in India or China, but they are big on violence. After the recent stalemate, following Israel's aggression, the two sides seem to be evenly matched, I hope that it will keep the region peaceful for some time to come.

However, it brought a few truths out in the open.

- Syria's pull-out from Lebanon, a few days back, was part of a bigger plan for Israel to attack Lebanon.
- The Lebanese were taken for a ride when the western world congratulated them for the Syria pullout.
- We now know that the Sunni Arab dictators do not really care for Palestine or Lebanon.
- Israel's power play doesn't work anymore.
- Iran and Syria do support Hezb. And are busy pushing their own interests.
- USA's campaign for democracy in the middle east is just a slogan.


As for Hezbollah, they can celebrate the stalemate as much as they want now. The Arab street may say, "We are all Hezbollah" for now, but things can change very fast.

Sarva Siksha Abhyaan

India spends under 4% of its GDP on education. And a little under 1.8% on elementary education.

However, I like the fact that Govt. schools in Karnataka's villages are called "Namma Oora Pradhamika Shaale" or "Our Village's Primary School".

And here is an interesting account at UR Anathamurthy's school and school days.

Ella Ok. Cool Drink Yaake?

The draught in Bangalore actually tastes better than the stuff you get in Mumbai. Even though the quality of drinking water in Mumbai is leagues ahead. Must be the weather.

You are here

It's always useful to know your location, wherever you are. But what if you are one of those who live in cyberspace? Would you like to know where you are, with respect to the virtual things that make your everyday life?
Pore over Cyberatlas

Discover the worldwide web that's trapped your soul with an atlas of maps and graphic representations of the geographies of the new electronic territories of the Internet, the World-Wide Web and other emerging Cyberspaces.

Whose line is it anyway?

Shoestring from Bangalore has a question about the Line of Control splitting Kashmir, no Indian or Pakistani politician or army general will answer. They will continue to blame Nehru, the British, Hari Singh and every body else but themselves.

They would not like to answer it for a long time to come too. Because Kashmir is a good excuse for many things. Things that will eventually lead to more blood being shed, like that of this young soldier, Shoestring sings about.

Click here to listen

Also, visit Shoestring's website for more songs and information about the band.

Sakat Hot Maga

That's Radio Mirchi's Bangalore slogan. It is a transliteration of "It's hot", Mirchi uses in Mumbai and other cities.

Though it was highly disapproved by many when it was first used (Blr Metblogs: Please stop speaking kanglish), it seems to have caught the fancy of many. For example: The tag line stands copied by a Kannada B grade skin flick and a Chicken kabab store.

However, "Sakat hot maga" sounds tame compared to Radio One's "Hittappo Hittu".

The good news is that the Kannada Pride organisations who complained against the minimal use of Kannada by private radio station have become silent.

Ban Coke. Drink Sewage

People drank seawater near the shrine of Haji Maqdoom Baba at Mahim, Mumbai on Friday.
Thousands rushed to the Mahim creek as word spread in the evening that the salty water had "mysteriously" turned sweet.


How can anyone drink the water in Mahim Creek? That's where the Mithi River disbowels itself and Mumbai's largest Sweage treatment plant is located.

Hamara Bajaj: Pretty 'Fly' for Central America

Picture by: Gracie from San Salvador. Click here for her album.

The Central Americans call our humble Auto-rickshaw, 'Mosca' or fly. Because they flit around the streets, on the Guatemala and El Salvador border, taxi-ing people.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankans and Indonesians refer to the 'Mosca' as 'Bajaj'.

Here's an interesting story on the ricks of Sri Lanka.

And finally, the Wikipedia page on Autorikshaw.

Pesticide

Pesticide: Killing soft drink brands while people are dying from drinking carcinogenic municipal water.


Related news:
Cola Banned in Punjab State Assembly: DNA

This is the same state that does not care to spend money on new hospitals to help cancer patients. Cancer cases caused by indiscriminate use of pesticides. Pesticides that are subsidised by the same same state government. The story is in DNA under thsi headline: Harvesting Cancer

Here's a part of that story:

" The villagers were paying too heavy a price for their prosperity courtesy the successful growth of cotton, the primary crop of the region. As fate would have it, better the crop, more serious has been the cases of cancer diagnosed in the patients.

The doctors believe that rampant use of pesticides to enhance the crop productivity has triggered the cancer outbreak.

"Till recently per hectare usage of pesticides has been the maximum in this region. Consequently, the underground water sources as well as entire vegetation has got contaminated," said Manpreet Badal, an Akali MLA.

For once, the Punjab government has acknowledged the gravity of the situation. After a survey, the district administration has identified nearly 1,000 cancer patients here and sought to extend financial assistance for their treatment.

Deputy commissioner Rahul Bhandari said for patients identified in Nathana, Bhagta, Maur, Balianwali, Sangat, Rampura (urban) and Bathinda (urban), an amount of Rs 60 lakh had been demanded from the state government.

Teams comprising sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) and health department personnel examined medical reports of people already suffering from the disease and studied their case history before identifying them for the financial assistance.

"We know the amount given as aid is not enough. The funds we grant are in accordance with the expenditure incurred in government hospitals," says Bhandari."

Bhutto once labelled us Indians as dogs. I think our Govt. look down at us as pests. (Wonder what they think of us blogger.com users? )

Statutory Warning: Homer Inside

After you dunk a can of beer or soft drink, tear open the can into half through the middle. Peer up the can. Under the top cover, you will find Homer Simpson's face staring down at you.

Statutory Warning: Canned Drinks can severely hamper your IQ.